HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STAFF ANALYSIS
BILL #: HB 177 Safe Waterways Act
SPONSOR(S): Gossett-Seidman
TIED BILLS: IDEN./SIM. BILLS: SB 172
REFERENCE ACTION ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR or
BUDGET/POLICY CHIEF
1) Healthcare Regulation Subcommittee 17 Y, 0 N Curry McElroy
2) Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee
3) Health & Human Services Committee
SUMMARY ANALYSIS
Regulation of beach waters and bathing places is significant in the prevention of disease, sanitary nuisances,
and accidents by which the health or safety of individuals may be threatened or impaired. Under current law,
the Department of Health (DOH) may adopt and enforce rules to protect the public health, safety, and welfare.
DOH rules must establish health standards and prescribe procedures and timeframes for bacteriological water
sampling. If water quality does not meet rule standards, DOH may issue a health advisory.
HB 177 requires, rather than authorizes, DOH to:
Adopt and enforce rules to protect the health, safety, and welfare of persons using beach waters and
public bathing places;
Issue health advisories if the water quality of beach waters or a public bathing place fail to meet DOH
standards; and
Require closure of beach waters and public bathing places that fail to meet water quality standards if it
is deemed necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
The bill establishes additional DOH rule requirements, as follows:
Specifies that DOH rules, at a minimum, must require owners of beach waters and public bathing
places to both notify the local county health department and resample the water within 24 hours after a
test result indicates water quality violations.
Includes public bathing places in the water bodies subject to current law requirements for the issuance
and notification of health advisories.
Requires DOH to adopt by rule a sign to be used when issuing health advisories against swimming in
affected waters and requires signs to be displayed in conspicuous areas around the affected waters
until subsequent testing shows that the bacteria levels meet water quality standards; and requires DOH
to coordinate with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to implement this.
The bill requires local governments, rather than DOH, to post and maintain health advisory signs in affected
beach waters and public bathing places that they own. DOH must monitor affected waters for signage
compliance.
Finally, the bill requires DOH and DEP to establish a statewide interagency database for reporting fecal
indicator bacteria data for beach waters and public bathing places and requires the data to published in the
database within five business days after receipt.
The bill has a significant negative impact on DOH and an indeterminate negative fiscal impact on local
government.
The bill provides an effective date of July 1, 2023.
This docum ent does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill sponsor or House of Representatives .
STORAGE NAME: h0177a.HRS
DATE: 4/3/2023
FULL ANALYSIS
I. SUBSTANTIVE ANALYSIS
A. EFFECT OF PROPOSED CHANGES:
Background
Beach Waters and Public Bathing Places
Beach waters are defined as the waters along the coastal and intracoastal beaches and shores and
include salt water and brackish water.1 A public bathing place is a body of water, natural or modified by
humans, that is used for swimming, diving, and recreational bathing. The bathing water areas of public
bathing places include, but are not limited to, freshwater (lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, and artificial
impoundments) and marine waters (salt waters along the coastal and intracoastal beaches and
shores).2
Under current law, the Department of Health (DOH) may, but is not required to, adopt and enforce rules
to protect the health, safety, and welfare of individuals using beach waters and public bathing places in
Florida. If adopted, the rules must establish the health standards and prescribe procedures and
timeframes to conduct bacteriological sampling of beach waters and public bathing places.3 DOH may
also, but is not required to, issue health advisories if the quality of the beach waters or a public bathing
place fails to meet the water quality standards established by the department. 4 The issuance of health
advisories related to the results of bacteriological sampling of beach waters is preempted to the state. 5
DOH Regulation of Beach Waters and Public Bathing Places
Regulation of bathing places is significant in the prevention of disease, sanitary nuisances, and
accidents by which the health or safety of individuals may be threatened or impaired. 6 DOH has
adopted and enforces rules requiring the owners or managers of public bathing places to monitor for
water quality, report the results to DOH and the relevant county health department, and provide notice
to DOH and the public whenever there are water quality violations of the adopted bacteriological
standards for fecal coliform, E. coli, and enterococci.7 Bacteriological samples for public bathing places
must be collected and tested monthly.8
If test results exceed standards, within 24 hours the relevant county health department must be notified
and re-sampling of the water must be conducted. The county health department must also perform an
inspection and the bathing place owner or manager must post a no swimming advisory.9 If the owner or
manager does not post the advisory, DOH is required to post it. Once re-sampling confirms that the
bathing water meets the standards again, the owner or manager may rescind the posted no-swimming
advisory.10 Currently, there are approximately 402 beach water and public bathing places monitored by
DOH through biweekly sampling.11
1 S. 514.023(1), F.S. Brackish water or estuaries refers to water that is somewhat salty, more salty than freshwater, but not a s salty as
seawater. Brackish water is typically found at transitional points of water where freshwater, such as from a river or l ake, meets with
salty seawater. See National Ocean Service: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, What is an Estuary? Estuaries Tutorial,
at https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/tutorial_estuaries/est01_whatis.html (last visited March 28, 2023).
2 S. 514.011(4), F.S.
3 S. 514.023(2), F.S.
4 S. 514.023(3), F.S.
5 Id.
6 Rule 65E-9.001, F.A.C.
7 Rule 64E-9.013(1)-(3), F.A.C.
8 Rule 64E-9.013(1)(a), F.A.C.
9 See, form DH 4158, Bathing Place Pub lic Health Advisory Sign – Poor Water Quality, incorporated by reference in Rule 64E-
9.013(2)(a)2, F.A.C.
10 Rule 64E-9.013(1)-(2), F.A.C.
11 DOH, Agency Bill Analysis HB 177 (2023), p 2.
STORAGE NAME: h0177a.HRS PAGE: 2
DATE: 4/3/2023
Health Advisory
When DOH issues a health advisory against swimming in beach waters or a public bathing place on the
basis of finding elevated levels of fecal coliform, Escherichia coli, or enterococci bacteria in a water
sample, DOH must concurrently notify the municipality or county in which the affected beach waters are
located, whichever has jurisdiction, and the local office of the Department of Environmental Protection
(DEP).12 The local office of DEP must then promptly investigate wastewater treatment facilities within
one mile of the affected beach waters or public bathing place to determine if a facility experienced an
incident that may have contributed to the contamination and provide the results of the investigation in
writing or by electronic means to the municipality or county, as applicable. 13
Although, DOH has authority to issue public health advisories, the agency does not have statutory
authority to close beaches.
Fecal Coliform, Escherichia Coli, and Enterococci Bacteria14
Coliforms and enterococci are bacteria that live in the intestines of warm-blooded animals (humans,
pets, farm animals, and wildlife).15 Fecal coliform bacteria are a kind of coliform associated with human
or animal wastes. Escherichia coli (E. coli) is part of the group of fecal coliforms.16
Coliforms and enterococci are indicators of the presence of fecal material in water and, therefore, of the
possible presence of disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and protozoa.17 The presence of these
pathogens in waterways may cause cloudy water, unpleasant odors, and decreased levels of dissolved
oxygen.18 These pathogens can also sicken swimmers and others who use rivers and streams for
recreation or eat raw shellfish or fish. Other potential health effects can include diseases of the skin,
eyes, ears and respiratory tract. Eating fish or shellfish harvested from waters with fecal contamination
can also result in human illness.19
Sources of fecal indicator bacteria include wastewater treatment plant effluent, leaking septic systems,
stormwater runoff, sewage discharged or dumped from recreational boats, domestic animal and wildlife
waste, improper land application of manure or sewage, and runoff from manure storage areas,
pastures, rangelands, and feedlots.20
Monitoring Water Quality
Florida Healthy Beaches Program
12 Section 514.023(4), F.S.
13
Id.
14 See Rule 65E-9.013(3), F.A.C. for the bacteriological standards for fecal coliform, escherichia coli, and enterococci bacteria.
15 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Response to 2005 Hurricanes, at https://archive.epa.gov/katrina/ web/html/ and EPA,
National Aquatic Resource Surveys, Indicators: Enterococci, https://www.epa.gov/national-aquatic-resource-surveys/indicators-
enterococci (last visited March 29, 2023).
16 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Response to 2005 Hurricanes, at https://archive.epa.gov/katrina/web /html/ (last visited
March 29, 2023).
17 Id.
18 EPA, National Service Center for Environmental Publications, E. coli and Enterococci, (2009) at https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPDF.cgi/
P100ZOAU.PDF?Dockey=P100ZOAU.PDF (last visited March 29, 2023).
19 National Aquatic Resource Surveys, Indicators: Enterococci, https://www.epa.gov/national-aquatic-resource-surveys/indicators-
enterococci (last visited March 29, 2023).
20 Id note 14.
STORAGE NAME: h0177a.HRS PAGE: 3
DATE: 4/3/2023
The Florida Healthy Beaches Program was created to monitor for enterococci bacteria and to more
accurately determine whether beaches are safe for recreational uses such as swimming. 21 The
program began in 1998 as a pilot program with a few coastal counties conducting bi-weekly beach
water samples and reporting the results on the Florida Healthy Beaches Program website and to local
media.22 The beach water sampling program was expanded in 2000 through state legislation and
funding. Sampling under the program was also expanded to include testing of fecal coliform, in addition
to enterococci bacteria and the number of counties participating in the program increased. 23 Additional
funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2002 enabled weekly sampling.
However, changes to funding levels in 2011 resulted in a return to bi-weekly sampling.24
The Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act
In 2000, Congress passed the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH)
Act,25 to amend the Clean Water Act to improve the quality of coastal recreation waters. 26 The BEACH
Act is designed to reduce the risk of disease to users of coastal recreation waters. It authorizes the
EPA to award program development and implementation grants to eligible states, territories, tribes, and
local governments to support microbiological testing and monitoring of coastal recreational waters,
including the Great Lakes and waters adjacent to beaches or similar points of access used by the
public. BEACH Act grants also provide support for developing and implementing programs to notify the
public of the potential for exposure to disease-causing microorganisms in coastal recreation waters. 27
Freshwater Bathing Places
In Florida, 35 county health departments monitor 150 freshwater bathing places where the owners of
the bathing places conduct monthly testing for enterococci bacteria and post a public health advisory
sign when water bacteria levels are above the bacteriological standards set forth in Rule 64E-9.013(3),
F.A.C.28 The owners of freshwater bathing places are required to provide laboratory test results for two
samples to DOH within 24 hours of receipt of laboratory results.29 Laboratory results take an average of
48-72 business hours to process. If the owners of freshwater bathing places do not post signage
advising the public of the health risk, DOH posts signage. DOH’s oversight activities of freshwater
bathing places are funded through General Revenue. 30
Marine Water Bathing Places
Thirty (30) county health departments conduct bi-weekly sampling at 252 marine water bathing places
for enterococci bacteria and post public health advisory signs when water bacteria levels are above
standards.31 DOH’s oversight and routine water testing activities for marine water bathing places are
primarily funded through the BEACH Act grant. The grant provides funding for 186 sampling locations
to be tested bi-weekly. One beach water sample is collected per sampling location. The sample is sent
to a laboratory which provides results on average within 48-72 business hours. In addition, local funding
supports weekly testing at 67 of the EPA grant funded sampling locations. Local funds also support bi-
weekly or weekly testing at 66 additional marine sampling locations. All marine public bathing places
21 Costal & Heartland National Estuary Partnership Wateratlas, Learn More: Healthy Beaches, at https://chnep.wateratlas.
usf.edu/library/learn-more/learnmore.aspx?toolsection=lm_healthybeach and DOH, Beach Water Quality, Florida Healthy Beaches
Program, at https://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/beach-water-quality/index.html (last visited March 29, 2023).
22 Id.
23 DOH, Beach Water Quality, Florida Healthy Beaches Program, at https://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/beach-water-
quality/index.html (last visited March 29, 2023).
24 Id.
25 Pub. L. No. 106-284, 114 Stat. 870 (2000), available at https://www.congress.gov/106/plaws/publ284/PLAW-106publ284.pdf (last
visited March 29, 2023).
26 EPA, Summary of the BEACH Act, https://www.epa.gov/laws -regulations/summary-beach-act (last visited March 29, 2023).
27 Id.
28 DOH, Agency Bill Analysis HB 177 (2023), p 2.
29 Rule 64E-9.013(2)(a), F.A.C.
30 Id note 27.
31 Id.
STORAGE NAME: h0177a.HRS PAGE: 4
DATE: 4/3/2023
funded under the grant have permanent signage stating the beach water quality is being monitored by
DOH.32
In Fiscal Year 2021-2022, the county health departments collected 7,922 marine beach water
samples—of which 475 (6%) samples statewide exceeded the enterococci bacteria standard resulting
in 246 public health advisories issued by the DOH. Various conditions can impact the timeframe that
waters return to acceptable standards, including concentration of enterococci bacteria, water
temperature, weather, and water flow. The timeframe for returning to acceptable standards typically
varies between 1-5 days.33
Water Quality Database
In 2019, an interagency database was launched to provide Floridians with information on the water
quality status in their area.34 The Protecting Florida Together Water Quality Map delivers statewide
water quality information regarding algae blooms (blue-green algae, red tide and nutrients), water
impairments, and environmental restoration projects.35 The map is designed to ensure transparency
and accountability with respect to water quality data and its availability to the public.
The map displays and describes specific health notifications regarding known or possible health
impacts based on prevailing water quality conditions and identifies the precautions that individuals
should take in effected areas.36 Information on the map is provided by the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP), Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and DOH. DEP
manages the maintenance of the website for the map. 37
Effect of the Bill
HB 177 requires, rather than authorizes, DOH to:
Adopt and enforce rules to protect the health, safety, and welfare of persons using beach waters
and public bathing places;
Issue health advisories if the water quality of beach waters or a public bathing place fail to meet
DOH standards; and
Require closure of beach waters and public bathing places that fail to meet water quality
standards if it is deemed necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
Closure must remain in effect until the quality of the waters is restored to standards and DOH
has removed any r